Ventura 1-3 Freshfield
23rd November 2003

This was not Freshfield's best performance this season and it was far from their prettiest, but after last week's setback at home to Ainsdale a return to winning ways was what was required and in that regard at least there were no disappointments. This was a workmanlike performance which occasionally flirted with complacency but ultimately did as much as was required. Freshfield, after the setback of losing three points for administrative deficiencies, are starting to climb back up the table.

Ventura had beaten Freshfield in the cup last year with a tall team and a forthright approach. Neither seem to have been retained following their promotion from the Second Division and they were, in all honesty, a poor side. A heavy and uneven pitch did not make playing good football easy, but as Freshfield eased their way into the game they found that if they could put some passes together the resistance they faced would be limited. The disappointment at not having Damian Nolan available through injury was tempered by the welcome return of Steve Griffiths, and Mike Kemp's absence at right back meant that Andy Hickey completed an unfamiliar back four. The midfield was unchanged from last week and John Eccles deputised once more for the still-injured Dave Drewrey.

Midway through the half Freshfield took a deserved lead. A well delivered corner from Phil Crowe on the right was headed on by Pete Pringle and like a thief in the night, John Armstrong stole in to wrong-foot the Ventura 'keeper with a well-struck shot. Freshfield were able to contain what little attacking instinct the home side showed and not long before half-time a well-struck long-range effort from Brian McGlynn took a slight deflection on its way to goal to extend Freshfield's lead. 

After half-time Freshfield, as is their want, did their best to give away a goal but their generousity was flatly refused by Ventura, who contrived in a number of different ways to turn their nose up at opportunities to get back into the match. Eventually though, their centre-forward broke through unmarked and after beating Power his shot just evaded Pringle on the line. That goal, though, gave Freshfield fresh impetus and having replaced McGlynn wide on the right Simon Richards produced an inch-perfect cross with his first touch which Eccles converted with a neat flick that surprised him more than anyone else. Richards could and should have volleyed home a fourth, and even though he shot over the bar his cameo-role was enough to remind manager Andy Smith why he is difficult to ignore when on form. at the heart of the midfield Tony Connelly continued to impress and is sure to start in the local derby against Formby Dons next week. Freshfield will need to up their tempo to get anything out of that game, but they showed glimpses of being able to do it in this game.

Team: N. Power, A. Hickey, P. Pringle, S. Griffiths, P. Crowe, B. McGlynn (S. Richards), T. Connolly, J. Armstrong, G. Booker (Capt), J. Eccles, H. Finney

Sub not used: D. Hirst

Players' Man of the Match:                Supporters' Man of the Match:            Managers' Man of the Match:

Attendance: 11